Tips for 0-5 weeks



                In the first few weeks there is a lot of growth in your belly, before you may even know you are pregnant .


Three weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period ,the fertilized egg moves slowly along the Fallopian tube towards the womb. The egg begins one simple cell .This cell divides again and again .By the time the egg riches the womb it has become a mass of over 100 cells called an embryo ,and is still growing .


Once in the womb, the embryo settles into the womb lining .This is called implantation .In weeks four to five the embryo settles into the womb lining .the outer cells reach out like roots to link with her mother's blood supply .The inner cells from into two and then three layers .Each of these layers will grow to be different parts of the baby's body.One layer becomes the brain and nervous system ,the skin ,eyes and ears.Another layer becomes the lungs ,stomach and gut  .The third layer becomes the heart ,blood,muscles and bones .

The fifth week is the time of the first missed period , when most women are only just beginning to think they may be pregnant .Yet already the baby's nervous system is starting to develop .A grooves froms in the top layer of cells.The cells fold up and round to make hollow tube called the neural tube .This will become the baby's brain and spinal cord ,so the tube has a 'head end' and 'tail end'.defects in this tube are the cause of spina bifida .At the same time the heart is forming and the baby already has some of its own blood vessels.A string of these blood vessels connects baby and mother and will become the umbilical cord .

Tips for pregnant women : Pregnancy fitness





                       think about your exercise as soon as you know you're pregnant in order to have an easier pregnancy and quicker recovery after birth .





The more active and fit you're during pregnancy , the easier it will be for you to adapt to your changing shape and weight gain .It will also help you to cope with labour and get back into shape after birth .Keep up your normal daily physical activity or exercise (sport,dancing,or just walking to shops and back ) for as long as you feel comfortable .Don't exhaust yourself .You may nee to slow down as your pregnancy progress ,or if your maternity team advise you.If in doubt ,consult your maternity team team .As a general rule ,you should be able to hold a conversation as you exercise . If you become breathless as you talk ,then you are probably exercising strenuously .


If you weren't active before you got pregnant , don't suddenly take up strenuous exercise .If you start an aerobic exercise programme ,begin with no more than 15 minutes continuous exercise ,three times per week .Increase this gradually yo a maximum of 30 minute sessions four times a week.Inform the instructor that you're pregnant .


Exercise dos and don'ts :


  • Do remember that exercise doesn't have to be strenuous to be beneficial .
  • Always warm up before exercising , and cool afterwards .
  • try to keep active on a daily basis . Half a hour of walking each day can be enough .If you can't manage that ,any amount is better than nothing .
  • Avoid any strenuous exercise in hot weather .
  • Drink plenty of water and other fluids .
  • If you go to exercise classes ,make sure your teacher is qualified and knows you're pregnant and how far your pregnancy has progressed .
  • You might like to try swimming because the water will support your increased weight .Some local swimming pools provide aqua-natal classes with qualified instructor .

Exercise to avoid :


  • Don't exercise flat on your back,particularly after 16 weeks ,because your bump presses on the big blood vessels ,and it can make you feel faint .
  • Contact sports where there's a risk of being hit ,such as kickboxing ,judo or squash .
  • Horse riding,downhill skiing,ice hockey ,gymnastics and cycling,because there's a risk of falling .
  • Scuba diving ,because the baby has no protection against decompression sickness and gas embolism ( gas bubbles in the bloodstream) .

Antenatal health recommendation



                  Healthy living advice , including diet ,folic acid ,smoking ,alcohol ,caffeine ,medicines .



There are a number of things you can do to stay healthy during your pregnancy .

Exercise : 


It is good to keep active during your pregnancy .It will help you to adapt to your changing shape and weight gain and also help you to get back into shape after birth .
You can read the complete article here .

Alcohol :


When you drink, alcohol passes from your blood ,through the placenta ,to your baby . A baby's liver is one of the last organ to develop fully and does not mature until the latter half of pregnancy .Your baby can not process alcohol as well as you can and too much alcohol can seriously affect your baby's development .

If you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant , you should try to avoid alcohol completely for the first three months of your pregnancy because there may be an increased risk of miscarriage .

Smoking :

Smoking during pregnancy restricts the essential oxygen supply to your baby and increases the risk of it born underweight and too early . These risks will be reduced if you stop smoking during your pregnancy .

Work :

If you work during pregnancy restricts make sure you know your rights to antenatal care ,maternity leave and benefits .

You can read the integral article here .

Medicines :


Some medicines ca harm your baby's health but some are safe ,for example medication to treat long-term condition such as asthma ,thyroid disease ,diabetes and epilepsy .Always check with your GP ,midwife or pharmacist before taking any kind of medication .



Tips for pregnant : Vitamin D




 You should take vitamin D supplements throughout your pregnancy and while breastfeeding .



Take 10 micro-grams of vitamin D per day ,which is in health start vitamin supplements or other supplements recommended by your midwife .You should continue to take vitamin D throughout your pregnancy and while you are breastfeeding .

Infections that may affect your baby



              Some infects  you may catch during pregnancy can affect your baby's health , so it's important to get yourself checked if you think you may be at risk .


Rubella :

Rubella (or German measles  can seriously affect your baby's sight and hearing , and cause brain and heart defects in your baby if you catch it in the first months of pregnancy . All children are now offered immunization against Rubella through the MMR vaccination at 13 months , and a second vaccination before they start school . If you're not immune and you come into contact with Rubella ,tell your maternity team at once . Blood tests will show whether you've been infected ,and you'll be able to decide what action to take .

Sexually transmitted infections :


Sexually transmitted infections are on the increase , and the most common is Chlamydia . STIs often have no symptoms ,so you may not know if you have one .However,many STIs can affect your baby's health during pregnancy and after the birth .If you have any reason to believe that you or your partner have STI,go for check-u as soon as possible .You can ask your maternity team or ,if you prefer ,go to genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic or sexual health clinic .You will be guaranteed confidentiality .

To find a local sexual health and genito-urinary medicine (GUM° clinic call the sexual health helpline .If you're under 25 years old , you can also visit a brook center for free ,confidential advice ,or you can contact the National Chlamydia screening programe for a free confidential test .




Exercise during pregnancy

     


                     Staying fit during pregnancy will help you cope better with the physical demands of pregnancy , labor and motherhood.


Finding out that you're pregnant doesn't mean you have to give up the thing you enjoy .If you're lucky you'll feel at your healthiest .If not ,exercise may help by boosting your energy levels and your immune system .

Exercise builds muscle tone , strength and stamina , wich can help your body cope with pregnancy weight gain (12,7 kg or two stones ,on average) .Keeping active can make it easier to regain pre-pregnancy fitness levels after the birth .It can help to reduce constipation and tiredness ,as well as circulation problems .

Get moving every day :


Try to keep active every day .keep up your normal daily phsical activity or exercise (sport,dancing or just walking to the shops and back) for as long as you feel comfortable Fitting in half a hour of activities , such as walking ,can help to keep you active .If you can't manage that ,any amount is better than nothing .
Don't exhaust yourself .You may need to slow down as your pregnancy progresses ,or if your doctor advises you to .If you go to an exercise class ,make sure that the teacher is properly qualified and that they know you're pregnant and how far your pregnancy has progressed .

General dos and don'ts :

  • Do remember that exercise doesn't have to be strenuous to be beneficial .
  • Do remember that the appropriate level of exercise will depend on how fit you were becoming pregnant .
  • Do wear loose,comfortable clothes .Drink plenty of fluids ,and don't allow yourself to get overheated,as this can be harmful to the baby .
  • Do take gentle approach to exercise that put strain and joints and ligaments .During pregnancy ,women are more vulnerable to joint and ligament injury because the body produces relaxin , a hormone that loosens joints and ligaments in preparation for childbirth .
  • Do listen to your body .Dizziness and fatigue is common in the first 12 weeks or so .Some women lose their balance later on as the baby grows and their center gravity shifts .
  • Consult your healthcare provider if you have vaginal bleeding ,shortness of breath ,palpitations (faster ,heartbeat) or pain in the back or pelvis .
  • Do avoid contact sports and any activity with a potential for falling or being hit,such as horse riding ,judo or skiing.
  • Don't exercise in order to lose weight during pregnancy because this may harm the baby .
  • Don't do any strenuous exercise in hot weather .
  • Don't exercise flat on your back,particularly after 16 weeks ,because your bump presses on the big blood vessels ,and it can make you feel faint .
  • Don't use saunas or steam rooms .They can make you too hot ,which can be harmful to the baby.
  • If you can't take easily while exercising ,you're overdoing it ,so slow down .

Tips for pregnant women : antenatal health facts



                          Employment rights,maternity leave, SMP .







Paid time off for antenatal care :

You are entitled to time off to attend antenatal appointment , including the time it takes to get to your GP , without losing pay .After your first appointment your employer may ask to see your appointment card and your certificate stating that you 're pregnant . Antenatal care can include parenting and relaxation classes and workshops ,although you may need a letter from your GP or midwife stating that these are part of your antenatal care .

Health and safety :


Employers have a responsibility to protect the health and safety of their employees . This includes assessing any potential risks at work while you are pregnant and when you return to work .


Employers should do their best to resolve any risks to health and safety and if necessary offer you a suitable alternative job . If this is not possible your employer should suspend you on full pay as long as is necessary to avoid any risks . To get the full benefit of this legal protection as an employee , you should notify you employer in writing that you are pregnant ,have recently given birth or breastfeeding . For more information on your legal rights in the workplace see the pregnancy care planner .It is sex discrimination if your employer treats you unfairly ,dismisses you or selects you for redundancy for any reason linked to pregnancy ,childbirth or maternity leave .


Maternity leave :


As an employee you have the right to 26 weeks of 'ordinary maternity leave' and 26 weeks of 'additional maternity leave' .You should get this regardless of how long you have been with your current employer ,how many hours you work or how much you are paid .

The earliest you can start your maternity leave is 11 weeks before the expected week you are due to give birth .To qualify for your maternity leave you must tell your employer you are pregnant ,your due date and when you want to start your maternity leave .You need to do this at least 15 weeks before the start of the week your baby is due .If this is not possible ,because you did not know you were pregnant , you need to inform them es soon as possible .

For more information on money and work entitlements in pregnancy go to the directgov website .

Statutory maternity pay(SMP):

If you have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks before the end of the 15th week before your baby's due ,you will earn 90% of your salary .

Your employer may have their maternity pay scheme.

Paternity leave :



Following the birth of a baby ,if you are the father,husband of the mother or the mother's partner(including same sex partner) , you may be able to take one or two weeks leave from work to care the baby and support the mother .You are eligible for paternity leave as long as you expect to have responsibility for bringing up the baby and have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before you baby is due .To qualify you must give your employer the correct notice and take the leave within 56 days of the birth of your child .

Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) is paid by the employer for the one or two consecutive weeks leave you take. This is currently 90% of the average you earn weekly .Some employer have their own paternity leave arrangment ,normally included in your contract of employment .







Pregnancy's questions !




        Question to ask your midwife or GP .




It's worth having a list of question to ask your midwife or doctor at your first antenatal appointment .The more you know about your options, the more you'll be able to make decision about your care . Consider what you want to know about health cheks ,antenatal care,nutrition , and the delivery itself , and come prepared with some question to ask .



Notify midwife or Gp



            Arrange to see a midwife or GP as soon as you know you're pregnant .



It's very important to see a midwife or a GP as soon as possible after finding out you're pregnant . You should have had your long 'booking' visit by 12 weeks ,and you should also have been given your hand-held maternity records by this time . At the booking visit ,you'll discuss your health and any other concerns so that an individual care plan can be developed . You may be offered ultrasound scan .You will also be weighed , and given information on the screening tests avaible , and have an opportunity to discuss them . You don't need to decide now whether to have them .
Free Backlinks

Travel during pregnancy

             

                       With the proper precautions, most women can continue to travel safely well into their pregnancy .



If your pregnancy has no complications , the best time to travel is when you are 14 to 28 weeks pregnant . Wherever you go ,find out what healthcare facilities are at your destination in case you require urgent medical attention .It's a good idea to take your medical records with you so you can give doctor the relevant information if necessary .Have a check-up before you travel and don't go unless you get all-the-clear from your doctor .Make sure you travel insurance covers you for any eventuality , such as pregnancy-related medical care during labour , premature birth and the cost of changing the date of your return trip if you go into labour .

When to travel ?



Many women prefer not to travel in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy because of exhaustion and nausea they experience during these early stage. The first three months are a sensitive stage , with a higher risk of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy ;However if you feel well and you've discussed it with your doctor ,there's no reason why you can't travel at this time .

After 28 weeks ,the biggest factor in deciding whether to travel ,apart from the issue of comfort, is the risk of going into early labour .If you decide to go away, consult your doctor ,who will determine you risk of a premature birth; If you get the all clear ,make sure there are adequate facilities at your destination in case you go into labour .

tips for pregnant women : Eating well for pregnancy


        Eating a balanced died during pregnancy can help to protect your health and your baby .





It's also a good idea to eat healthily if you're trying to conceive because a healthy pregnancy starts well before conception .

Take at least 400 micro-grams of folic acid a day while you're trying to get pregnant,and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy . Folic acid reduces the risk of your baby having a neural tube defect ,such as spina bifida . Folic acid tablets are widely avaible from pharmacies , or you can talk to your GP about getting a prescription.

Don't worry if you get pregnant unexpectedly and weren't taking folic acid supplements . Start taking them as soon as you find you find out, unil you're past the first 12 weeks of pregnancy .Do take folic acid supplements every day .DO eat plenty of food rich in folate (the natural form of folic acid) such as green leafy vegetables, including spinach and watercress,nuts,pulses,wholegrains and fruit juice .

And : 
  • Don't take supplements that contain vitamin A because vit A cause foetal abnormalities .
  • Don't eat liver or products that contain it such as pat .
Alcohol :  


  • when you drink ,alcohol reaches your baby through the placenta .Too much exposure to alcohol can seriously affect your baby's development  .If you're trying to conceive or already pregnant the government advises that you should avoid drinking alcohol .

If you choose to drink:
  • Don't have more than one or two units once or twice a week and don't drink enough to feel drunk .
Getting pregnant may be more difficult if you drink .It's known that drinking heavily can result in Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) . Children with this syndrome have restricted growth,facial abnormalities and learning behaviour disorders . When a women drink while pregnant , the alcohol passes into the baby's bloodstream . The safest approach is to not drink at all.

Caffeine


You don't need to cut out caffeine completely , but don' t have more than 200 mg a day as high levels can result in baby having a low birth weight, which can increase the risk of health problems in later life ;Too much caffeine can also cause miscarriage ; There's caffeine in chocolate ,cola and "energy drinks" , as well as tea and coffee .

In general try to keep a well-balanced diet,which will supply all the energy and nutrients needed by you and your growing baby.


  •  Do eat plenty of fruits and vegetables (fresh,frozen,tinned ,dried or juice) five portion a day .
  • Do eat plenty of foods from the starchy carbohydrate group,such as breads,cereals,rice,pasta,noodles,maize,millet,yams and potatoes.
  • Do have milk and other dairy products(e.g yogurt,hard cheese) to ensure that you have a good intake of calcuim ;Use low-fat varities where you can.For example semi-skimmed milk ,low fat yogurt and reduced fat hard-cheese .
  • Do get enough vitamin D. It keeps bones healthy and provides your baby with enough vit D for the first few months of life . Take a 10-micro-grams supplement of vit D every day.Your body makes vit D from exposure to sunlight, but the amount of time you need in the sun to make enough vitD varies from person to person . If you have dark skin you may be at particular risk of vitamin D deficiency .Talk to your midwife or GP if you're worried about this.
  • Do get enough of iron because some women can develop low iron levels during pregnancy.Iron is found in meat,green leafy vegetables ,pulses,bread and fortified cereals .Your midwife can advise you whether you need to take iron supplement .
  • Do eat protein foods , such as meat,fish,poultry,eggs,beans,soya,pulses and nuts .Have a good variety to ensure that you get enoug protein and important nutrients ,such as iron,zinc,magnesium and essential fatty acids.Fatty acids include omega 3 fats (found in flaxseed oil ,rapeseed oil and oily fish ,such as mackerel and sardines ).
  • Do stay active and  move around .

And : 


  • Don't eat for two .You don't need extra calories until the final three months, when you need 200 extra calories a day -equivalent to two slices of toast with margarine or butter) .Be guided with your appetite .When you feel hungry between meals,choose a healthy snack such as fruit,yogurt or a bowl of cereal .
  • Don't try to loose weight during pregnancy .This can affect your baby's weight,and may stop you from getting al the nutrients that you both need.Don't skip meals,even if you feel sick.Eating little and often can keep your energy level up and can help to fight off morning sickness.  

Folic Acid




            Folic acid is important to protect your unborn baby from neural tube defects such as spina bifida .





Folic acid is a B vitamin.It occurs naturally in foods such as beans and pulses(e.g chikpeas,lentils),green vegetables ,and yeast and beef extracts.Some foods are also fortified with folic acid(this means they have folic acid added to them),such as certain breads and breakfast cereals.Products with extra folic acid should display a round symbol with the letter F in the center .



How will folic acid protect my baby ?

when a baby's spine doesn't develop properly in the womb,it's born with what's known as a neural tube defect (NTD). A well-known NTD is a condition is called spina bifida . This can potentially happen during any pregnancy .However,research shows that taking the right amounts of folic acid can significantly reduce the chance of your baby being born with an NTD.

How long do I need extra folic acid for ?

The department of health recommends that you start taking folic acid as soon as you stop using contraception.This is because it can be hard to know exactly when you will conceive, and the baby's spine develops very soon after conception .Folic acid should be taken until your 12th week of pregnancy.

when do I need a bigger dose of folic acid ?



  • You have had a baby with spina bifida.
  • You have diabetes.
  • You are taking drugs for epilepsy.
  • You have coeliac disease .
Speak with you GP or midwife about this .

Symptoms of morning sickness

 

   ( Include advice on when to seek for help .)




For most women ,the symptoms of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) begin before the ninth week of pregnancy,around six weeks after the last period . The symptoms of NVP should improve as your pregnancy progress and,in about 90% of cases,they resolve by the third month of pregnancy .



Sometimes,symptoms of nausea and vomiting  can be caused by a more serious,underlying health condition such as :

  • Urinary tract infection- a common infection that can affect the kidneys,bladder,urethra and the ureters .
  • Appendicits- a common condition that causes inflammation(swelling) of the appendix.
  • Pancreatitis- a uncommon but potentially serious condition that causes inflammation of the pancreas .

You should contact your GP or midwife immediately if you :


  • have very dark colored urine,or you do not pass urine for more than eight hours.
  • have abdominal(tummy) pain.
  • a high temperature (fever) of 38°c or above.
  • feel severely weak,dizzy, or faint when standing up.
  • Vomit blood.
  • have a racing heart rate.
  • have repeated episodes of vomiting .
  • are unable to keep down food,or fluids,for 24 hours.

Alternatively you can send an email to the administrator(GP) of this blog if you have any question .

Tips for pregnant women :Screening results



              Having a screening test during pregnancy can be a very difficult time .How do you deal with unexpected results .


Around 600,000 women become pregnant every year,and every women will be offered several types of screening .Some screen the mother for certain infection,such as sexually transmitted infections and rubella ; other screen the unborn baby for conditions such as sickle cell and thalassemia blood disorders, down's syndrome and structural abnormalities .

In pregnancy ,most screening results give the mother and unborn child the all clear ,but around one out of every 100 pregnancies screened are found to have a problem of some kind .When this happen there is always support available for parents ,whether it is from the medical profession or particular support groups.It's important that parents are given as much information and help as soon as possible.

Its should be remembered that screening tests do not always identify problems and some may be missed.When you are told that there may be problem with your unborn baby,you may feel any number of different emotions,such as feeling alone,angry or scared .You may think that nobody will understand exactly what you are going through and may even blame yourself,your partner or the doctors for the results ."This is a normal reaction to bed news".You may feel sadness at the loss of your hopes for a healthy baby,and confusion how to proceed with your pregnancy.Professional support is available to help you cope with the decisions and feelings .  



Antenatal health



        Antenatal health and care-An introduction to the services offered and advice you need .


Antenatal care is the help you receive from health professionals during the course of your pregnancy.It is important that you take good care of your own health and that of your unborn baby during pregnancy and making the most of the antenatal care available to you is a big part of that .

As soon as you find out that you are pregnant you should get in touch with you GP or midwife to get information on the services and support that are available and to organize antenatal care .

This will include :

  • antenatal appointments-regular health appointments with your midwife or doctor to check your health and the development of your baby .
  • antenatal screening-tests that assess whether your unborn baby is at risk of certain condition and abnormalities .
  • antenatal classes and workshop that prepare you and your partner for the birth of your baby .
Antenatal appointments are check-ups to assess the health of you and your baby .They give the opportunity for you to find out more about the care on offer, and also to discuss any issues and questions you have . 


pregnancy for dads

               






                     Essential things should know if you are about to become a dad :



1.Morning sickness doesn't just happen in the morning .

2.Make it to the antenatal test .

3."I am not ready to become a dad "

4.
Having sex won't hurt the baby .

5.Don't believe
the due date .

6.If you have a car ,
buy a baby seat .

7.Three birth related words you should know :
epidural, episiotomy and Cesarean .

8.You don't have to be at
the birth but you should seriously consider it if she wants you there .

9.Breastfeeding is great- if you are feeling squeamish about , don't breast milk is superfoood for baby .

10.Be gentle_ your baby might feel so tiny and delicate that you are afraid of breaking him or her .But if you are gentle and know which bits need support , you will both be fine .

Pregnancy Health : advice about your diet



        Think about your diet as soon as you become pregnant (if not before)


 A healthy diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle at any time ,but especially vital if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy .Eating healthier during pregnancy will help your baby to develop and grow ,and will keep you feet and well.

You don't need to go on special diet but it is important to eat a variety of different foods every day in order to get the right balance of nutrients that you and your baby need . have a healthy breakfast every day because this help to prevent you eating snacks and fatty  and sugary foods later in the day .



There's no need to eat for two when you're pregnant.Even if you have a multiple pregnancy with twins or triplets , It is the quality of food that's important ,not the amount .With a few exception you can continue to eat all the foods you enjoy .Eating healthily often means just changing the amount of different foods you eat so that your diet is varied ,rather than cutting out all your favorites .

Fruits and vegetables . Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables because these provide vitamins and minerals , as well as fiber , which helps digestion and prevent constipation . Cook vegetables lightly in a little water , or eat them raw but well washed , to get the benefit of the nutrients they contain .Frozen,tinned and dried fruit and vegetables are good too .Eat at least five portion a day .

Carbohydrates . starchy foods are important source of vitamins and fibre .They include bread ,potatoes,breakfast cereals,rice,pasta,noodles,maize,millet,oats,sweet potatoes,yams and cornmeal .These foods should be the main part of every meal .Eat wholemeal instead of processed (white) varieties .

Protein . This include meat (but avoid liver) ,fish,poultry,eggs,beans,pulses and nuts .These foods are all good sources of nutrients ,so eat some every day.Choose lean meat , remove the skin from poultry (chicken and turkey) , and cook it using only a little fat . try to eat two portions of fish a week , one of which should be oily fish such as sardines or mackerel.if you eat a lot of fish ,choose a variety of different kinds to make sure that your diet is balanced .There are some types of fish you should avoid in pregnancy .


Dairy .Dairy foods ,such as milk,cheese,fromage frais and yogurt  are important because they contain calcium and other nutrients that your baby needs.Choose low-fat varieties wherever possible .For example semi-skimmed or skimmed milk ,low fat yogurt and half fat hard cheese .Aim for two to three portions a day .

There are some foods to avoid : foods that are high in sugar or fat.this include all spreading fat,oil,salad dressing,cream,chocolate,crisps,biscuits,pastries,ice cream,cake,
pudding and fizzy drinks.If you can't stop eating this foods ,eat only a small amount . Sugar contain calories without providing any other nutrients and can lead to weight gain , obesity and tooth decay .Fat is very high in calories .Too much can increase the risk of heart disease and contribute to being overweight .To reduce fat,avoid fried foods,trim the fat off meat, and use spreads sparingly .